Biology

Physiology

Vaporeon is a composite creature sharing physical traits of fish, dolphins, cats, dogs, and possibly other animals. It is a quadruped with three small toes on each foot. Vaporeon's body is light blue and it has a white ruff around its neck just behind its head. Vaporeon has cream-colored ears made of webbing and has a fin on its head resembling its ears. Vaporeon has a pointed pattern of dark blue on its head that encompasses the backs of its ears and head-fin. It also has blue ridges that run down the length of its spine and on to its tail-fin, and the paw pads on its hind feet are dark blue like the ridges. Vaporeon's finned tail is said to look similar to that of a mermaid's. Vaporeon's molecular structure is close to water, so its body glitters when sunlight hits at certain angles.

Gender differences

None.

A Vaporeon melting into water molecules

Special abilities

Vaporeon are highly adapted to aquatic life. Unlike its pre-evolution, it has the ability to breathe underwater. As stated previously, they have a unique molecular structure. They have the ability to "melt" into a body of water and disappear completely from view. They can also manipulate water molecules, giving them the ability to learn Water-type attacks their previous evolution could not.
Vaporeon also have the ability to walk on water. Vaporeon can also glide in the air for moments because of its fins.

Behavior

Vaporeon are very difficult to observe in the wild, as they are quite rare. When they are in the water, they are virtually impossible to see. While they are much easier to see while they are resting onshore, they possess the ability to rearrange themselves on a molecular level, causing themselves to "melt" into the water. It is likely that many mermaid stories were spawned by Vaporeon sightings, as their tails resemble those of mermaids. When Vaporeon's fins begin to vibrate, it is said to be a sign that rain will come within a few hours.

A Vaporeon made a small cameo in Pokémon Heroes under the ownership of an unnamed Trainer, who was giving it some water. Also, a Vaporeon was used by a competitor in the Tour de Alto Mare, a water chariot race.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Red temporarily controlled a Vaporeon, which was actually his Eevee temporarily evolving into its three known evolutions. It eventually evolved permanently into an Espeon, losing the ability to switch back and forth between its advanced forms.

In Generation I, Vaporeon had a notably different design with the backs of its ears being all black, fins on each leg, and a fin running down the entire length of its back. All of these details were removed in Generation II. Notably, these details weren't present in its original R/G artwork.

Vaporeon is the only Eeveelution that does not share any weakness with another.

Origin

Vaporeon's origins are uncertain, though it could be based on a cross between cetaceans, felines, and canids. Its feline and fish characteristics may mean that Vaporeon may be a visual pun on catfish. The fins and dorsal lining may be based off different types of tropical fish. Its ears resemble a mix between a fish's fin and a fennec fox's or caracal's ears. It also shares characteristics with mermaids. Vaporeon may also be inspired by the Telchines of Greek mythology, or the Merlion, a national symbol of Singapore. Vaporeon's resemblance to both carnivorans and cetaceans could be based on primitive whales, such as Kutchicetus.

Name origin

Vaporeon is a combination of vapor (a gaseous form of water) and eon (an immeasurably long period of time, possibly referring to how long evolution takes naturally). Eon is a suffix all Eeveeevolutions share and was Eevee's English prototype name.